Kelly Jennings: The Most Efficient Tackling Cornerback In The NFL

by Josh Kirkendall on Feb 12, 2012 6:00 PM EST in Analysis

NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 06: Kelly Jennings #23 and Geno Atkins #97 of the Cincinnati Bengals stop quarterback Matt Hasselbeck #8 of the Tennessee Titans short of a first down during play at LP Field on November 6, 2011 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Bengals won 24-17. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

Former Bengals defensive tackle Clinton McDonald didn't have a place on Cincinnati's 2011 roster. With eight players eventually surviving final cuts on the defensive line, most of whom produced valuable and significant contributions, McDonald became expendable. So the team shipped him to Seattle for cornerback Kelly Jennings, a former 2006 first round selection, in a late-August trade. For his part McDonald, who played 436 defensive snaps for Seattle, proved to be an effective run stopper for a Seahawks defense that played very well against the run in 2011.

Jennings on the other hand struggled.

Jennings allowed an opposing quarterback rating of 90 or better in his first five games against receivers he covered. Eventually he settled down, only allowing six of 12 receptions in Cincinnati's final four games (including Cincinnati's wild card loss to the Houston Texans). For the season Jennings allowed three touchdowns, a 60.8 completion percentage and an opposing quarterback rating of 106.2.

However when a receiver caught the football, Jennings was the most reliable and sure-tackler in the NFL this year. According to Pro Football Focus, Jennings only missed one of 32 attempted tackles in 2011, giving him a tackle efficiency of 32.0 (a minimum of 25 attempted tackles required for inclusion).

Jennings is one of 20 Bengals players entering free agency as an unrestricted free agent.

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keep him

hall, clements, ghee, jennings, draft a first rounder or go after a big FA.. I’ll take kelly as a backup. why not?

I love the Bengals more than you love anything in your life

by cincybengals on Feb 12, 2012 6:03 PM EST reply actions

Well...

He didn’t have many attempts and I wasn’t impressed with his coverage skills. However, given his speed and apparent tackling ability I suppose he’s worth keeping if we have to.

by Tampa_Bengal on Feb 12, 2012 6:17 PM EST reply actions

He isn't bad to have on the roster as CB depth.

But when he’s starting, that’s a problem.

Cincy Jungle: Where the Rocky Mountains are in the Pacific Ocean

by sexsalad on Feb 12, 2012 6:23 PM EST up reply actions

Yes, key word is depth with Jennings.

A good guy for nickel or occassional rotation when necessary.

"The next person you see that throws something, point em out! You don’t live in Cleveland, you live in Cincinnati!"
- Sam Wyche

by The Van Buren Boys on Feb 12, 2012 7:27 PM EST up reply actions

Keep for special teams ONLY. What’s point of being a cb if u can’t cover? We need cb that can actually stop WR from catching ball period. And being honest in my opinion he was our worst tackler in secondary…

by pray4gm11 on Feb 12, 2012 6:41 PM EST via mobile reply actions

Did you even read the article?

by Cry on Feb 12, 2012 7:47 PM EST up reply actions

worst tackler, by far

or not.

He has this weird habit of putting his arms around people when he tackles. Mysterious.
Many others, including on our team, like to throw a shoulder in there and see what happens.

Go Reds!
(and gooooo krogering)

by supergrover on Feb 13, 2012 6:53 AM EST up reply actions

THIS

Man I wish Zimmer would spend a few weeks drilling tackling basics into guys like Rey. Just diving and hoping for the best doesn’t cut it.

by indesignkat on Feb 13, 2012 11:16 AM EST up reply actions

hell i miss the days of the tomahawk chop during the tackle

wish we had a player or two with those instincts. i do respect what nate clements does during tackling. watch him, almost every play he puts a mitt on the ball and rips at it once.

"the bengals are not a west of the 104 longitude team."

by palewook on Feb 13, 2012 12:45 PM EST up reply actions

U cant tomahawk chop anymore?

by njbengalstat on Feb 13, 2012 12:58 PM EST up reply actions

you can, its legal

people just dont do it in the nfl

"the bengals are not a west of the 104 longitude team."

by palewook on Feb 13, 2012 1:13 PM EST up reply actions

Ur right i havent seen it in a couple years

I think m williams was the last bengal

by njbengalstat on Feb 13, 2012 1:20 PM EST up reply actions

I havent seen it in a couple years

I think m williams was the last bengal

by njbengalstat on Feb 13, 2012 1:22 PM EST up reply actions

I think it was on larry johson on the chefs

And it went off his leg and ended up being a safety

by njbengalstat on Feb 13, 2012 1:26 PM EST up reply actions

If he covers the WR or blocks the ball in the air

he wont have to make so many tackles.

by Bengalsfan024 on Feb 13, 2012 11:27 AM EST up reply actions

definitely...

a descent back up. we should try to keep em.

by bengal4life68 on Feb 12, 2012 6:42 PM EST reply actions

had a hamstring early and probably didn't fully recover. Lets give him a chance after off season healing. I say keep him, cut Ghee.

by sofakingood on Feb 12, 2012 6:51 PM EST reply actions

How is a decent back-up when QB have a 105+ rating against him? That’s shouldn’t even be on feild skills. If him and Crocker back in that secondary its gone be a long year.

by pray4gm11 on Feb 12, 2012 6:54 PM EST via mobile reply actions

small sample size, for that

A couple plays and the numbers are way off. He got burned, bad, early and played well otherwise.

Go Reds!
(and gooooo krogering)

by supergrover on Feb 13, 2012 6:55 AM EST up reply actions

Teams didn’t need to pass on us late in season. Whenever they did throw is way he couldn’t cover nobody. Didn’t see him do nothing all season.

by pray4gm11 on Feb 13, 2012 10:50 AM EST via mobile up reply actions

Small sample size for the tackles as well

I cannot even beleive this is a debate. He was terrible!!!! I’m ussually one of the most optimistic people on this site and even through rose colored glasses I think he sucks!!! I think Clements is really good Ghee has potential, Pacman is serviceable but I will not be sold on Jennings. I’ve watched the tapes and even when he was supposely playing better he was still get burnt it just so happens they didn’t throw to his man or the QB missed made a poor throw and we got real lucky!!!

by biggie22 on Feb 13, 2012 11:43 AM EST up reply actions

I don't like Jennings he sucks, but i don't think Ghee is any better.

I’d re-sign PacMan & Clements…& draft a CB (Dre Kirpatrick)..& maybe re-sign Jennings..

1st RD-Dre Kirkpatrick-CB
1st RD-Cordy Glenn-OG
2nd RD-Brandon Thompson-DT
3rd RD-Amini Silatolu-OG
4th RD-Marvin Jones-WR
5th RD-Marquis Maze-KR

FA:
SS-Laron Landry
RB-Micheal Bush

by Bengal4ever on Feb 12, 2012 7:32 PM EST reply actions

Jennings played decent last year. Cincy should bring back him and Pac man jones

Kenneth Lewis Moore

by lightskin350 on Feb 12, 2012 7:55 PM EST reply actions

check this out for a pretty decent draft prediction

i find it quite a big reach but i liked this draft analysis, it definitely would be an amazing draft in my book, it covers the RB, secondary situation very nicely also adds a lot of good depth to our quit visible defensive & offensive linemen needs and adds a good receiver in the later rounds for depth, from a pretty reliable source too i must add…. bleacher report, though i think its more of a dream draft..

by ARoo on Feb 12, 2012 8:02 PM EST reply actions

sorry... here's the link

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1051258-2012-nfl-mock-draft-cincinnati-bengals-full-7-round-predictions-first-edition#/articles/1051258-2012-nfl-mock-draft-cincinnati-bengals-full-7-round-predictions-first-edition

by ARoo on Feb 12, 2012 8:02 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

That would be awesome, but it's a bit of a pipe dream.

by Animal_Like_Football on Feb 13, 2012 10:09 AM EST up reply actions

Re-sign Jennings and Pacman

Draft a first round CB,
I believe that Clements is under contract,if not sign him
Pray that Hall returns to form

"A team is more than a group of individuals,its a group of individuals that come together to make a team"

by keithp on Feb 12, 2012 8:13 PM EST reply actions

this is the most likely scenario I think

by keithster on Feb 12, 2012 10:51 PM EST up reply actions

I see him as a decent (if cheap enough) backup

He has no ball skills at all, but he does have the ability to run with just about anyone and at least make it look like they’re covered.

by indesignkat on Feb 12, 2012 8:24 PM EST reply actions

This is the best description of him I've seen

Wonder if this was in the small print the Seahawks didn’t read in his scouting report

by messjunk on Feb 13, 2012 12:13 AM EST up reply actions

seahawk fans described him to us that way after the trade

if he’s starting for your team as the number 1 or number 2 cb, something went wrong with your team, your season, or your front office. as a number 3 or number 4 cb, he’s not that horrible. you could do worse. i wouldn’t break the bank for the guy, if he’s willing to be reasonable and take a deal under 2 million a year with a few incentives tossed into the contract, i’d resign him.

he’s already done more on the field in a bengals uniform in 1 season than ghee has done in 2 seasons here.

"the bengals are not a west of the 104 longitude team."

by palewook on Feb 13, 2012 6:12 AM EST up reply actions

U a give him 2mil? No NFL team will give him more than vet min.

by pray4gm11 on Feb 13, 2012 10:53 AM EST via mobile up reply actions

really?

considering he made 1.965 million in 2011, shows two nfl teams already have paid jennings that much in the past. the bengals and the seahawks.

"the bengals are not a west of the 104 longitude team."

by palewook on Feb 13, 2012 11:38 AM EST up reply actions

Still working on his rookie 1st rd pick salary… Let’s see if he gets another 2mil is what I said.

by pray4gm11 on Feb 13, 2012 12:04 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

That’s ONLY thing he brings to table is sticking with receiver. But this ain’t track u gotta be able to do more than run, run, run.

by pray4gm11 on Feb 13, 2012 10:52 AM EST via mobile up reply actions

Having Clinton McDonald would have been great when Sims went down.

We lost two great DTs before the season started. Him and Shirley.

by Cry on Feb 12, 2012 8:31 PM EST reply actions

we'd have to needed to carry 9 d-line then

mcdonald wouldn’t have lasted on the practice squad. in hindsight, easy enough to say, “we should have cut peerman and kept mcdonald.” thinking back to the preseason in 2011, did we really see a way to keep mcdonald around?

we were really deep on the d-line and he lost the numbers game. we managed to turn him into another position player we could use for the season, rather than get nothing for him when another team snatched him off the practice squad.

"the bengals are not a west of the 104 longitude team."

by palewook on Feb 13, 2012 6:06 AM EST up reply actions

Please do not bring him back

He is terrible!!! He was only a part time cb who was really only in on passing situation. He better make the tackle after he gives up a completion. It’s not like he’s tackling any rb’s. The biggest issue is he cannot cover his own shadow!! Even later in the year when he was “playing better” thank god we were playing back up or 2nd rate qb’s because there were numerous times he was beat and we were lucky the qb missed the throw. If you have the games dvrd go back and watch and you’ll see there is no way we should resign him

by biggie22 on Feb 12, 2012 9:37 PM EST via mobile reply actions

He get out of the running back way when he see him coming. Can’t tackle or cover

by pray4gm11 on Feb 12, 2012 10:28 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Rod Jones

Nicknamed himself “Blanket”, I think. Everyone else called him “Toast”.

Remember him? Great tackler. Got lots of practice, too.

That said, Jennings is better than Jones by far. I know his numbers are bad, but his positioning and play are good enough to start on some teams. I’m okay with him being a backup, injury starter.

Go Reds!
(and gooooo krogering)

by supergrover on Feb 13, 2012 6:51 AM EST reply actions

I thought he improved as the season went on

"At the very end, somebody took a dump right where I stood in the dugout every day." Dusty Baker

by featherman on Feb 13, 2012 7:41 AM EST up reply actions

i'm also curious to see what another year of zimmer can do for jennings

jennings has the tools to be successful in the nfl, his technique is the issue.

"the bengals are not a west of the 104 longitude team."

by palewook on Feb 13, 2012 7:53 AM EST up reply actions

True, I think another year of zimmer coudn't hurt.

I think the question is. Who would you rather have? Adam Jones or Kelly Jennings.

We only need to sign one CB to complete our roster. And I think we will go with Jones pending on if he gets suspended. We still have Clemments, Ghee, and Hall. Plus, we are going to get a pro ready CB in the draft. Not to mention all the other options in FA.

AMAS

by AMAS85 on Feb 13, 2012 9:23 AM EST up reply actions

I’m getting back in shape. Hell for 2mil if u just want me to run side by side with receiver I could do that. Our secondary was HORRIBLE. Folks Clements had bad season being honest and he 100x better than Jennings. Clements can’t comeback as our 1 or 2 cb. If Clements starting and Jennings/Crocker still on roster we would not make playoffs next year. We play elite qbs next year that a have feild day with our secondary. We didn’t play not one top 5 passing qb this year, we let journeymen and back ups pick us apart this year. I don’t know if it was coaching or players but it MUST get fixed…

by pray4gm11 on Feb 13, 2012 10:59 AM EST via mobile reply actions

Clements was usually pretty good

It’s the 2 or 3 times he got juked and fell down, letting the receiver run wide open, that really hurt. Embarrassing as those are, he was very solid aside from those few plays.

by indesignkat on Feb 13, 2012 11:19 AM EST up reply actions

apart from that Mrs Lincoln

how did you like the play?

Attention Mike Brown: One-and-done doesn’t cut it. You will see more empty seats next year if you don’t show the fans you’re trying to win the Super Bowl!

by occams_tiger_teeth on Feb 13, 2012 11:37 AM EST up reply actions

nice

by indesignkat on Feb 13, 2012 1:47 PM EST up reply actions

The 2nd cleveland game comes to mind

He tried to come out of his back peddle to turn and run then slipped. It happened twice giving up a TD on one. It was wet that day of I’m not mistaken. Clemens is a decent #2, we could get better but we could be worse. With Hall in limbo we have no other choice but to count on him next year. After that hopefully he’s willing to be a safety.

by Bigcatdaddy on Feb 13, 2012 11:37 AM EST via Android app up reply actions

Quit saying he’s a decent #2…. What game did he mainly guard the teams #1/2 wr?

by pray4gm11 on Feb 13, 2012 12:09 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

What?

What game wasn’t he at least on the #2. He was on the field all the time. He didn’t play nickel abd he shore as hell didn’t cover the TE unless they were playing zone and the came in his area. If he didn’t cover the #1 or 2 receiver then who did he cover?

by Bigcatdaddy on Feb 13, 2012 12:35 PM EST via Android app up reply actions

clements was solid enough

i’m a little concerned with his age and play style. every step in speed he loses makes him more susceptible to being burnt and juked by younger faster players. he’s losing his ability to close gaps with his legs.

however, nate has great field awareness and vision. he’s less of a cover guy now and more of a zone guy. he’s still playing like a cover guy though. wish someone could talk him into accepting the SS job. he’d be awesome at SS until he was ready to retire. nate’s instincts could extend his career another 4 years or so at SS.

"the bengals are not a west of the 104 longitude team."

by palewook on Feb 13, 2012 11:49 AM EST up reply actions

+1

by biggie22 on Feb 13, 2012 11:52 AM EST up reply actions

+1

I think that’s one of the reasons Marvin said they were going to tum more zone next season. We just don’t have the personnel to play man D right now. Man coverage gives you the best chance at a pick but getting beat to.

by Bigcatdaddy on Feb 13, 2012 11:53 AM EST via Android app up reply actions

Didn’t see it. When ur pretty good cb teams don’t pick on you 3rd downs. He was always getting beat on 3rd downs ALL YEAR. Little for Cleveland could’ve had 200yds against him if it wasn’t for drops. And how horrible Jones/Jennings were they still stuck teams 1-2 receivers. Clements only has speed for Shipley/Welker type guys.

by pray4gm11 on Feb 13, 2012 12:08 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Shipley and Welker

Might have more speed than alot of teams #2 receivers. Just because they’re small and white doesn’t mean they’re not fast. Sometimes I worry about you pray;-)

by Bigcatdaddy on Feb 13, 2012 12:39 PM EST via Android app up reply actions

everyone perceives moments different

pray does see somethings that most of us don’t witness. he never fails to keep the chats on here lively though.

"the bengals are not a west of the 104 longitude team."

by palewook on Feb 13, 2012 12:48 PM EST up reply actions

Maybe we can finally start to see some stuff done

Cincinnati Bengals
@Bengals
#Bengals hire Mark Carrier as defensive backs coach and promote Paul Guenther to linebackers coach. Carrier spent last 2 seasons with Jets.

by Oregonbengalsfan on Feb 13, 2012 12:47 PM EST reply actions

by palewook on Feb 13, 2012 12:53 PM EST up reply actions

Hobson

Tweets here and here

Geoff Hobson
@GeoffHobsonCin
Carrier 3-time Pro Bowl safety, 11 years in NFL with Bears, Lions, Redskins. Now #Bengals DBs coach at age 43

Geoff Hobson
@GeoffHobsonCin
New #Bengals DBs coach Mark Carrier a Rex Ryan disciple. Last two years as Jets DL coach. Before that four seasons as Ravens DBs coach

by Oregonbengalsfan on Feb 13, 2012 12:56 PM EST up reply actions